Analysis of Technological Interactions of Users in the University Public Open Spaces in line with the Implementation of Urban Cyber ParksCase Study: Bagh-e Melli Campus of the University of Art

The emergence of the virtual world has led to the creation of spaces and new patterns of behavior in the life of modern human being. In this regard, "Cyber Park" through the co-creation of public open spaces and the use of new information and communication technologies, provide many opportunities for stakeholders in the field of technological interactions (information exchange, transfer of experiences, knowledge sharing, etc.). In fact, "Cyber Park" is a smart social ecosystem that can meet the needs and desires of individuals, especially in the field of education and learning, by using of technological equipment and in the context of nature, in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development. Given the characteristics of "Cyber Park", spaces such as parks, squares, historical areas, riversides, resorts and public open spaces are known to create suitable Cyber Parks. These spaces allow people to develop their social and cultural contributions, and in addition to taking advantage of the surrounding space, they will be able to improve the quality of various aspects of their lives. In these public open spaces, the proper implementation of information and communication technologies (as one of the main bases of Cyber Park formation) is essential and consist of the technological optimizations, improving the infrastructures and superstructures, developing the hardware and the software, as well as equipping of the facilities. As the main base of Cyber Parks through participation and social interactions, innovative actions and the development of discourse and relationships between spaces, stakeholders also play a key role in the process of its formation.

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing Cyber Parks through the technological interactions of stakeholders (students) in the university public open spaces. In order to achieve the goals of the research, main question is proposed as follow: “How does university public open spaces affect technological interactions (students' activities and relationships with each other) in terms of the quality of the spaces and facilities available?”. Thus, during the research process, how to adapt the basic concepts of Cyber Park with a public open educational space in the university environment has been analyzed in order to explain the requirements of implementing Cyber Park, especially in academic context. For this purpose, Bagh-e Melli campus of the University of Art in Tehran has been selected as the case study and data were collected in the field through an online questionnaire survey that explored students’ views and behaviors towards university public open spaces. Then, using quantitative analysis method and SPSS statistical software and also with the help of case study strategy, data analysis was performed. In order to improve the validity of the research, first a pilot study (30 questionnaires) is conducted and then the main questionnaire is prepared.

During the research, various dimensions such as the quality of the university public open spaces, the qualities and facilities available in the university public open spaces of the university, student social life and the social interactions taking place in relation to information and communication technologies, the degree of willingness to cooperate in the design and maintenance of public open spaces of the university, daily use of information and communication technologies and the kind of them in the public university spaces and the quality of information and communication technologies has been explored. In the statistical analysis, with the help of t-test and according to Pearson coefficient (correlation test), correlation levels, the forming dimensions of "Cyber Park" with each other and the indicators of each dimension have been tested separately. The findings emphasize the enthusiasm and high willingness of stakeholders (university student) to participate in matters related to the university public space. In addition, the quality of the public open space of Bagh-e Melli campus in the University of Art is strongly related to its facilities and has a strong correlation with the social life of students (related to the use of information and communication technologies). On the other hand, students' need for the development of information and communication technologies in the open space is positively assessed and reflects the preferences of stakeholders for the application of technologies, which is important in the formation of "Cyber Park" in the university public space.

The research findings show that the success of "Cyber park" requires the development and strengthening of technological infrastructure in this place and the provision of appropriate space (especially natural environment) to allow people to use information and communication technologies and share experiences of them. This can be achieved through the optimization of technology cores, infrastructure and superstructures, hardware and software, as well as the development of facilities